AG Fireworks Committee struggling to give America a happy birthday

AuGRES — The Fourth of July, Independence Day, is an American celebration commemorating the courage and faith of our Founding Fathers in their pursuit of liberty. Cities, townships and villages throughout the Nation host their own fireworks celebrations for Independence Day and the city of AuGres has historically been no different, holding its festivities at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boat launch over the mouth of the Saginaw Bay, however that may not be the case this year.

According to AuGres Fireworks Committee Chairperson Kim Forton, AuGres is dangerously close to canceling this year’s celebration.

“We (committee) need money,” Forton said. “Plain and simple.”

Forton says every fundraiser the committee has held has returned less-than-favorable results.

“We’re not even close [to the usual funding],” she continued. “We need at least $6,000.

“I’ve written for grant money…both came back negative.”

Forton says the committee usually spends around $12,000-$15,000 on its festivities and so far has raised only a very minimal amount of money.

“It may mean we have to use smaller-shelf fireworks,” Forton said. She added smaller-shelf means varieties that travel a shorter distance in the sky and wouldn’t be viewable from as far.

She says the committee won’t make a final decision until around the end of June.

“We’ll try anything possible [to raise the funds],” she said. “I’m in the process of sending out letters to businesses.”

Forton jokes, in a serious manner, the sign outside of her business has a different tone than normal.

“Now, it says, ‘If you don’t donate, we can’t detonate,’” she says. “Hopefully though, we’ll get some donations and be able to have a happy birthday for America.”